Tony thought he had it made when he installed his GE 14,000 BTU 208/230 Volt Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Electric Heat (Model AJEQ14DWJ). For months, it delivered powerful cooling in summer and reliable supplemental heat in spring and fall.
But one humid July afternoon, Tony noticed something was off. The unit was running, the fan was blowing — but the air wasn’t cold. Instead of panicking, he pulled out a troubleshooting checklist he had built over years of HVAC experience.
This guide shares Tony’s process step by step, so you’ll know exactly what to do if your GE wall unit stops heating or cooling properly.
🏠 Why Do Wall Units Fail to Heat or Cool?
Air conditioners and heat-capable wall units are complex systems. A failure could be something simple, like a dirty filter, or something serious, like an electrical fault.
Common causes include:
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Dirty or clogged filters blocking airflow.
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Frozen or dirty coils.
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Incorrect thermostat settings.
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Tripped breakers or faulty wiring.
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Blocked vents or poor room circulation.
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Drainage problems leading to internal leaks.
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Faulty sensors, compressors, or refrigerant leaks.
👉 The good news? Most issues are simple and DIY-fixable. Only a few require calling in a pro.
🔗 Reference: Energy.gov – Common Air Conditioner Problems
🔍 Step 1: Check the Basics
Before diving into advanced fixes, always start with the basics:
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Power Supply
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Ensure the unit is plugged into the proper 208/230V outlet.
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Test the outlet with another appliance or a voltage meter.
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Breaker Box
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Check if the circuit breaker has tripped. Reset if necessary.
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Thermostat Settings
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Verify the unit is in the correct mode (Cool or Heat).
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Make sure the temperature setting is below (for cooling) or above (for heating) the current room temp.
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Energy Saver Mode
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If enabled, the fan may cycle off even when the room feels warm. Switch to continuous fan mode for testing.
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Remote/Controls
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Replace batteries in the remote if unresponsive.
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Reset the unit by unplugging it for 5 minutes, then restarting.
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Tony’s rule: “Check the easy stuff first. I’ve saved more than one homeowner a service call just by flipping a breaker or changing thermostat mode.”
🔗 Reference: GE Appliances – Room AC Support
🪣 Step 2: Fix Airflow Issues
Weak or no airflow = poor performance.
✅ Common Fixes:
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Clean the filter – GE recommends rinsing monthly. A clogged filter reduces airflow and increases energy use by 5–15%.
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Unblock vents – Ensure furniture, drapes, or objects aren’t restricting airflow.
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Vacuum dust around the intake and exhaust grilles.
Tony once visited a friend who swore his unit was broken — the culprit? A filter so clogged with pet hair that hardly any air could pass. A quick rinse fixed it.
🔗 Reference: Department of Energy – Filter Maintenance
❄️ Step 3: Cooling Problems
If your GE unit blows warm or room-temperature air instead of cold:
✅ Troubleshooting Steps:
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Check for Frozen Coils
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Look for frost or ice on the evaporator coil.
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If frozen, turn off the unit and let it thaw.
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Clean filters and check airflow before restarting.
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Inspect Outdoor Temperature
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ACs struggle to cool when outside temps are below 60°F — refrigerant pressures drop too low.
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Close Windows/Doors
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Keep cooled air inside. Open windows or leaks can make it seem like the AC isn’t cooling.
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Coil Cleaning
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Dirty evaporator or condenser coils reduce cooling efficiency. Brush or spray-clean twice a year.
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Check for Short Cycling
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If the unit turns on and off quickly, it may be oversized for the room or have a thermostat sensor issue.
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If none of these restore cooling, the issue may involve low refrigerant or a faulty compressor, which requires a technician.
🔗 Reference: This Old House – Air Conditioner Not Cooling
🔥 Step 4: Heating Problems
The GE AJEQ14DWJ uses electric resistance heat, not a heat pump. This makes it reliable, but it can feel weaker than central heating.
✅ Troubleshooting Steps:
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Verify Mode – Ensure “Heat” mode is selected (not Fan).
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Set Thermostat Properly – Raise temperature several degrees above room temp.
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Inspect Filter – A clogged filter reduces heated airflow.
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Check Power Draw – Electric heat uses more watts (~3,500–3,800). Ensure outlet and breaker can handle load.
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Understand Limitations – Electric heat is best for mild cold, not freezing temps. Use a furnace in winter.
Tony uses the heating mode in October and April but relies on his gas furnace in January.
🔗 Reference: Energy Star – Electric Resistance Heating
💧 Step 5: Drainage & Moisture Issues
If your GE unit leaks water inside or around the sleeve:
✅ What to Check:
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Proper Tilt – Sleeve should slope ¼ inch downward to the outside.
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Drain Pan – Check for standing water; clean if clogged.
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Drain Line – Use a pipe cleaner or compressed air to remove blockages.
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Seal Integrity – Inspect caulking or insulation around the sleeve.
Tony ignored this once and ended up with warped hardwood under his unit. Now he checks drainage every spring.
🔗 Reference: Why AC Units Leak Water Indoors
🔧 Step 6: Electrical & Control Issues
If the unit won’t turn on or responds erratically:
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Test Outlet Voltage – Must be 208/230V, not 115V.
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Reset Unit – Unplug for 5 minutes, then restart.
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Check Fuses – Replace if blown.
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Inspect Control Board – If digital display doesn’t work, it may require replacement.
⚠️ Electrical repairs should be left to licensed professionals.
🔗 Reference: National Electric Code (NEC)
🚫 When to Call a Professional
DIY goes a long way, but some problems need a certified HVAC tech:
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Refrigerant leaks (rare but possible in sealed units).
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Burning smells or electrical sparks.
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Compressor failure (unit runs but never cools).
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Repeated tripped breakers.
Tony’s advice: “If it’s wiring or refrigerant, don’t mess with it. That’s pro territory.”
🧑🔧 Tony’s Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
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✅ Filter → Clean monthly.
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✅ Mode/Settings → Verify Cool/Heat selected.
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✅ Breaker → Reset if tripped.
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✅ Coils → Clean if airflow weak.
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✅ Drain → Ensure slope and no clogs.
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🚫 If unresolved after these steps → Call a professional.
✅ Conclusion: Stay Cool (or Warm) with Simple Fixes
Most issues with the GE 14,000 BTU Through-the-Wall AC are simple: clogged filters, dirty coils, incorrect settings, or blocked drains.
By following Tony’s DIY troubleshooting guide, you can solve 80–90% of problems without calling a technician. For the rest, pros are just a call away.
“Ninety percent of the time, it’s the filter,” Tony says with a grin. “Check the simple stuff before you spend money.”
In the next topic we will know more about: Will the GE AJEQ14DWJ Fit in Your Wall Sleeve? Dimensions, Clearance & Compatibility